Weekly World News
West Asia/Middle East:
While Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued, Muslims in Gaza began the Holy Month of Ramadan, which entails a number of sacred observances, including fasting between sunrise and sunset. However, a critical food shortage means that many Gazans endure a near-constant state of fasting. Deaths via starvation and malnutrition are steadily on the rise, particularly in the North, where supplies are especially scarce. In the Al Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals, 20 Gazans have died of malnutrition and dehydration, the majority of whom were children. Although humanitarian aid is now reaching Gaza by land, air, and sea, a collapse of humanitarian infrastructure and organization means that aid cannot be properly distributed to areas of need. However, Israeli gunfire, shelling, and airstrikes remain the largest contributor to the rising death toll, which has reached a conservative count of 31,923. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 20 were killed and at least 150 were injured when Israel shelled a crowd of Gazans awaiting aid in Kuwait Square. The United States once again began facilitating ceasefire negotiations between the two parties as Hamas dropped several key demands and the Israeli delegation indicated a willingness to negotiate. The talks aim to achieve a 40-day ceasefire to last through Islam’s holiest month.
Europe:
Presidential elections in the Russian Federation resulted in the re-election of President Vladimir Putin with a reported 88% of the total vote. Putin ran as an independent candidate against 3 candidates from the Communist Party (CPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), and the New People Party. Voter turnout reportedly exceeded 73%, including votes from newly annexed Western territories still claimed by Ukraine. The election was marked by several instances of vandalism of polling stations, which Putin described as “undemocratic.” Elections in Russia denote 6 years of a candidate’s leadership before the next general election.
Caribbean:
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry reported his resignation from abroad as gangs overwhelm the Caribbean nation, exacerbating issues of poverty, violence, and instability. Henry’s resignation leaves a power vacuum that further plunges Haiti into a state of uncertainty as governmental organizations are undermined and gangs seize more control.
North America
Both United States President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump clinched the presidential nominations for their respective parties, nearly ensuring the first presidential rematch since 1956.